Premier League new signings XI: Which players have starred since moving in the summer?

Who has starred since moving to a Premier League side this summer? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Premier League clubs spent over £1billion in the transfer market for the first time ever this summer, far exceeding the previous record of £870m set just a year earlier.

Global icons Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba arrived at Old Trafford which was a signal of intent from Manchester United but the high-profile duo have struggled in the opening months of the campaign.

However, a number of big names have impressed since arriving on English shores and the Premier League is all set for arguably the most exciting title race in years.

But who has made the cut for Metro.co.uk’s new signings XI based on players brought in during the summer transfer window?

Maarten Stekelenburg (goalkeeper) – Everton

Maarten Stekelenburg joined Ronald Koeman at Everton (Picture: Getty)

The Toffees landed Maarten Stekelenburg at the beginning of July and there were doubts over the Dutch shot-stopper following an underwhelming spell with Fulham back in 2013/14.

However, the Netherlands World Cup finalist has adequately filled the hole left by Tim Howard after ten years at Goodison Park.

Stekelenburg put in the goalkeeping performance of the season so far against Manchester City, saving penalties from Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

United reject Victor Valdes was unlucky not to make the cut off the back of a promising start for new-boys Middlesbrough.

Marcos Alonso – (wing-back) – Chelsea

Marcos Alonso has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Like Stekelenburg, Marcos Alonso had spent an unmemorable period in England before completing a transfer to the Premier League this summer.

Alonso hardly made waves during spells with Bolton and Sunderland, but Antonio Conte was convinced Alonso was the real deal based on his displays for Fiorentina in Serie A.

The wing-back has been at the heart of Conte’s 3-4-3 formation which was used as Chelsea tore Everton apart at the weekend.

Eric Bailly (centre-back) – Manchester United

Man United have missed Eric Bailly since his injury (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United fans panicked when hearing the news that Eric Bailly had suffered a serious knee injury in the side’s 4-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The £30million signing, brought in from Villarreal, has immediately adapted to life in the Premier League and has already been compared to club legend Nemanja Vidic.

He’s already become one of Jose Mourinho’s most trusted squad members at Old Trafford during a difficult start for the Portuguese manager.

Joel Matip (centre-back) – Liverpool

Joel Matip has slotted into Liverpool’s defence (Picture: Getty)

Considering Joel Matip arrived at Anfield on a free, there’s certainly a case for the defender being labelled the signing of the summer.

The 25-year-old ex-Schalke man has settled into Liverpool’s defence like he’s been playing there for years and is a major factor in the Reds’ promising start to the campaign.

Jurgen Klopp was so desperate to bring Matip to Merseyside that he got the centre-back to sign a pre-contract agreement as early February.

He still counts as a summer signing, though!

Shkodran Mustafi (centre-back) – Arsenal

What a start Shkodran Mustafi has had at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

German Wolrd Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi has been so impressive since joining the Gunners that he’s already been given a nickname by supporters.

Due to the defender’s instant partnership he’s formed with Laurent Koscielny, fans are affectionately calling the pair ‘Kostafi’.

Mustafi has come a long, long way since sitting in Everton’s reserves just four years ago.

Daryl Janmaat (wing-back) – Watford

Daryl Janmaat was relegated with Newcastle last season (Picture: Getty)

Netherlands full-back Daryl Janmaat was linked with a number of sides in the Premier League following Newcastle United’s relegation last term but the defender decided to move to Vicarage Road.

Walter Mazzarri’s side have been on fire in the early stages of the season and Janmaat has shown his experience and guile from the back as was hoped.

A large section of Watford fans worried that the £7.5m fee paid for Janmaat may be a tad steep but the 27-year-old has justified that figure with his early showings.

N’Golo Kante (midfield) – Chelsea

N’Golo Kante won the title with Leicester last term (Picture: Getty)

It was hardly a shock when Chelsea came knocking for former Leicester City dynamo N’Golo Kante at the end of last season.

The Frenchman runs and runs and runs…and runs (and runs). Did anybody really have any doubts that he would make it at Stamford Bridge after completing his £32million move?

An absolute no-brainer of a signing for Antonio Conte and the Blues.

Joe Allen (midfield) – Stoke

Joe Allen has had a barnstorming start for Stoke (Picture: Getty)

Most Liverpool fans were sad to see Joe Allen leave Anfield after four years with the Merseyside giants, especially after the midfielder had starred for Wales in their astonishing Euro 2016 campaign.

Since joining Stoke earlier this summer, the Welsh wizard has been deployed further forward by compatriot Mark Hughes and it’s worked wonders.

The 26-year-old, who has already scored four goals in the English top flight this term and is a shoo-in for the team of the English top flight thus far.

Ilkay Gundogan (midfield) – Manchester City

Ilkay Gundogan starred at home to Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

There was big pressure on Ilkay Gundogan off the back of a £20million move from Borussia Dortmund but Pep Guardiola knew exactly what the midfielder would bring to his side.

The German’s goals and creativity have provided a constant threat for opposition – it’s frightening to think how good he will be once he’s got a consistent string of games together in England.

Gundogan truly announced his arrival with a double in City’s stunning 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the group stages of the Champions League.

Sadio Mane (attack) – Liverpool

Sadio Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton this summer (Picture: Getty)

Nobody predicted quite how good Sadio Mane would be at Anfield, did they?

Mane eventually joined Liverpool following months and months of speculation he would move to arch-rivals Manchester United and the forward has been a revelation.

The Reds’ front-line of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Mane is the most in-form in the country at present.

Nacer Chadli (attack) – West Brom

Nacer Chadli is now the main man at West Brom (Picture: Getty)

Few attacking signings have taken the league by storm this term but Nacer Chadli has undoubtedly impressed since signing on the dotted line at the Hawthorns in the summer.

Chadli joined the Baggies from Tottenham for a fee of £13 million which means there’s pressure on the Belgian to perform this season and his partnership with Salomon Rondon has looked dangerous.

He’s scored four goals in eights appearances for West Brom this campaign.